Militants Attack Airport Radar In SW Pakistan

Islamabad, March 30, IRNA – Suspected militants attacked radar system of an airport in Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan late Saturday, killing a security personnel, officials said. The gunmen targeted Pasni Radar-Post near the port city of Gwadar that prompted exchange of fire with the security forces. The militants escaped after destroying some technical equipment and planting a bomb at the air traffic control post. Officials said eight armed militants stormed inside the Pasni Radar-Post and killed a personnel deployed there. They had also held eight personnel hostage after the attack. The radar system is located 131 kilometer east from Gwadar, controls air traffic from Western and the Persian Gulf countries towards South Asia and Central Asian States. “The assailants planted a bomb after the attack,” the official said and informed that the bomb disposal squad was called in to defuse the bomb. Pasni is considered to be one of the sensitive areas of Balochistan. Militants in the area have been targeting security forces, vital national installations and pro-government personalities for last more than seven years. No group claimed responsibility for the attack. However, the official suspected that the Baloch rebels operating in the area were behind the attack./end